May 13, 2014 VOLUME 5, ISSUE 4 SAA PAW PRINT Paint by Music By Vivek Beeram BUILDING CHARACTER FOR 125 YEARS Most people have heard of painting by numbers, but painting by music? That s something new SAA fourth-graders recently entered the citywide Paint To Music contest, sponsored by the San Antonio Symphony. The competition combined both of these fine art disciplines by having students use pastels to create a drawing inspired by listening to a piece of classical music. The students worked on their drawings during art and music classes. Four winners were chosen from each participating school. SAA winners were: James Hawes in fourth place, Morgan Smith in third place, Bennett Angulo in second place, and John Saad securing the top spot. The winners paintings will be shown at the San Antonio Symphony s Concert for Kids in May. Thinking inside the box on page 2. Read the buzz on the bees on page 3. Robotics teams go regional on page 4.
Third Graders Think INSIDE the Box By Sammy Barr The third grade class put their creative skills to work by bringing their favorite AR books to life. Students in both 3A and 3B were given two weeks to create a shoebox diorama that depicted a scene from the story. Sawyer Barr, who chose the classic Old Yeller said that the project was awesome In addition to the shoebox diorama, the students were required to write a book report, and give an oral presentation. The most popular book chosen was Hatchet by Gary Paulson. The dioramas were placed on display in the SAA library for students, faculty, and staff to enjoy. Pasta for Pennies The second grade class enjoyed a pasta party, courtesy of the Olive Garden restaurant, as a reward for raising the most money in the Pasta for Pennies challenge. This is the second consecutive year that the second grade class has earned this special lunchtime treat. Pasta for Pennies is a program that benefits the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Participation is not mandatory, but it is easy. Students simply collect change and bring it in to their teachers. The class with the most money raised receives the pasta party during lunch. According to Associate Head of School Virginia Beeler, SAA began participating seven years ago when a kindergarten student was diagnosed with Leukemia. Since then, the school has raised nearly $20,000 including approximately $2400 this year. The little guys love it, she said.
The Buzz on the Bees By Henry Satel San Antonio Academy was filled with bees in January. No, not the stinging kind. These bees were the academic kind First up, the GeoBee. Held on January 15, this annual event featured questions supplied by National Geographic. According to the host, Social Studies teacher Barry Bradley, the purpose of the Bee is to reward kids with knowledge while enjoying a fun and healthy competition. supplied by the Scripps Howard Company and the San Antonio Express News. It s gotten easier said Moore, who has been hosting the Bee for 23 years. I used to have to make up the words I enjoy it because it is different every time, said Bradley. This year, the competition came down to fifth-grade student Max Hart, and eighth-grade student Luke Powers. Despite the age difference, Hart emerged victorious. I didn t take age into account because a younger student has defeated an older student before, said Hart, who admitted that he was nervous in the beginning, but he felt determined and confident when it came down to himself and Powers. On the heels of the GeoBee came the Spelling Bee on Jan. 22. In a repeat of last year s performance, it came down to sixth-grade students Troy Cervantes and Jack Osterhage. They boys fought hard, and Cervantes eventually took the title with Osterhage as first runner up. Host and English Department Chair Brendan Moore said that the words for the Spelling Bee were By the time Spring Break rolls around in March, students, parents, and teachers are all usually ready for the reprieve. Several of out students went out of town for the break. Here are just a few places the students and faculty of SAA go to relax and unwind. Braden Malone: Colorado Sam Riggs: St. Louis Samuel Lewis: Arizona Reaves Miller: California Ben Rios: Utah Coach Mac: NaVarre Beach, FLA SPRING BREAK FUN Head of School John Webster and Social Studies teacher Barry Bradley said they stayed home and chilled. Next up? Summer
Robotics Teams Go Regional By Vivek Beeram San Antonio Academy s three robotics teams qualified for the FIRST Lego League competition held March 1 at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center. All three teams were very excited It was a lot of fun, said fifth-grade student Anthony Fletcher who was part of the ThunderCats team. The other two SAA qualifying teams were the RoBuccaneers, and Team Infinity. The FIRST Lego league is a robotics league for new, aspiring engineers. The annual competition consists of three parts: The Robot Game, The Project, and Core Values. Each year features a different theme or challenge. This year s challenge was Nature s Fury, and the teams were charged with coming up with a creative way to use robotics to help people in the event of a natural disaster. I thought the boys would really enjoy this, and they did, said Science teacher Cathy Baumgardner, who has been overseeing SAA s robotics program for the past two years. The team that wins the regionals is invited to participate in the international competition, while the second place winner goes to LegoLand in California for War of Words San Antonio Academy sent a team to the city-wide speech competition at Incarnate Word High School in February. This is the sixth year that SAA has sent a team to compete. English Department Chair Brendan Moore said that this year s speech team had the highest number of students to date. I was really excited to see how many boys participated, and I am hoping for even more next year, he said. The students competed in categories including poetry, prose, impromptu, monologue, duet, and more. Out of the twelve teams that competed, SAA took second place overall. the national competition. While SAA did not place in the top two, the teams still performed very well. I m very proud of the boys, said Baumgardner. Preparation for the competition lasts approximately one month and participants include sixth through eighth grade students who are interested.
The Driveway is the New Way by Jonathan Duperier SAA has completed the first phase of a long term construction plan, and SAA parents and students have been getting used to using a brand new driveway for drop off and pick up procedures. It s running smoothly, said Tony Aguilar, the man who keeps things moving during afternoon pick up. A couple of students weren t so sure. It will take some getting used to, said Sam Riggs, and Emory Hill agreed. One of the biggest adjustments involved the primary morning drop off. A new safety patrol made up of sixth and seventh grade students was assembled to guide these little guys from the pavilion to chapel. Parents also now have the option of parking in the new back parking lot and walking their sons to chapel. However, if a student is unaccompanied in the parking lot, it could result in a conduct referral. So far, everyone seems to be adhering to the rules, and the system seems to be working. I like it, said Head of School John Webster. It s a good system. 2013-2014 Paw Print Staff Sammy Barr Vivek Beeram Jonathan Duperier Eli Greenberg Max Hart James Jacob Walker Noble Rett Pena Max Rosenbloom Henry Satel FROM THE EDITOR With summer right around the corner, we have only one more issue left. Thanks for loaning me your talented boys and for supporting their efforts. Bonny Osterhage The SAA Paw Print San Antonio Academy 117 E. French Place San Antonio, TX 78212 210.733.7331 bosterhage@hotmail.com